Method of spraying fusible substances.



M. U. SGHOOP. METHOD OF SPRAYING PUSIBLE SUBSTANCES. APPLICATION FILED JULY 6, 1914.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

a has for its object to provide a simple method an electromagnet c.

UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

PORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MAX ULRICH SCHOOIP, OF ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, ASSIGNOR, Bi MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO METALS COATING COMPANY OF AMERICA, 0]? BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A COR- METHOD OF SPRAYING FUSIBLE SUBSTANCES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

' Original application filed February 19, 1914, SeriaINo. 819,722. Divided and this application filed July 6,

1914. Serial No. 849,332.

To all whom it may concern. I

' Be it known that 1, MAX ULRICH SCHOOP, a citizen of the Swiss Republic, residing at Zurich, Switzerland, have invented certain I new and useful Improvements in the Method hering or separable coatings which are impacted thereon as described in my former patent application Serial No. 52800 filed April 1st 1910, patented February 9, 1915, No. 1,128,058, and the present application of melting and simultaneously spraying the metal or fusible substance.

This invention consists in introducing tlu fusible substance or metal into a zone where it is immediately melted or fused by an elec tric current conducted to the zone by the unmelted portion of the said fusible substance and spraying and impacting the fused portion immediately it has been fused.

Suitable means for carrying out this process are described and illustrated in my copending application Serial No. 819,722 filed February 19th, 1914, from which the present case has been divided.

Referring to the accompanying drawing which is a somewhat diagrammatic view in plan of a suitable apparatus, in the drawing a and b designate two feed tubes, which terminate in nozzles and are preferably made of iron, the tube 6 forming the armature of Through these tubes two wires w 10 are fed by means of feed rolls d so that the endsof the wires, issuing from the nozzles, cross each other as shown in the drawings. The two feed tubes and the wires issuing therefrom, form parts of an electric circuit, other parts of which are shown at Z, Z and current flows in this circuit, as indicated by arrows. The coils of the electromagnet, also form part of the circuit. The tube 12 is elastically supported, so that it can vibrate, and the tubes are placed at an angle of about 90"to each other, with the wires making slight frictional contact where they cross, and with the nozzles spaced apart only a few millimeters. When the electromagnet 0 is energized it attracts the tube 6 and by this meansslightl'y withdraws the wire electrode to from the wire electrode w A blast pipe n has its nozzle directed toward the place where the wire electrodes cross, in order to direct a stream of air or other gas on the electrodes. The blast apparatus may be used for driving a turbine whereby the wire feed mechanism is .actuated.

The action of the apparatus is as fol" lows Current flowing through the circuit, while the electrodes are in contact, energizes the electromagneto whereby the electrodes are drawn apart, and a small arc is formed,

accompanied by melting of some of the metal. This molten metal is at once driven away in the form of a fine spray, by the stream of gas from the pipe n, which also blows out the arc in stzztu nasoendz', so that the magnet allows the electrodes to approach each other again. The magnet is then again energized, and another are is fomned,'and

so on, the action being repeated with great rapidity, so that a continuous stream of spray is driven from the electrodes and pro- -must be adjusted to the rate at which melting is taking place.

The vibratory arrangement which I have described may be applied to both the electrodes. Its advantage lies in the fact that it. produces a moremniform and localized consumption of the electrodes. If the electrodes are merely fed toward each other without vibration, there is a tendency for the arc to flicker or to spread and roast the tubes, and in some cases the electrodes tend to become sweated to each other if a lower potential difference is used in order to avoid an excessive arc.

An angle of about 90 for the two electrode tubes is found most advantageous for most purposes, but the angle may vary. The best angle for the blast nozzle is easily. ascertained in each particular case, as is also the most advantageous distance of the blast nozzle from the electrodes; in some cases itis best to have the blast nozzle close to the electrodes, but in others a distance of 20 or mm. from the arc isbetter.

In the case of some metals, especially those of low melting point,.part of the metal may be vaporized by the current. The vapor forms a fine condensate, or is projected with the spray against the surface to be coated.

I claim:

1. In the method of production of the spray of fusible substances, the step which consists in passing an electric current through-electrodes formed of said substance whereby said electrodes are melted, and subjecting the molten material to an atomizing blast of gas underpressure.

2. In the method of production of the spray of fusible substances, the step which consists in' mto a zone I current conducted to said zone 111 part by ntroducing a fusible substance where it is melted by an electric ing substantially equal to the melting, and

subjecting the molten material to an atomizing blast of gas under pressure.

4. In the method of production of the spray of fusible substances, the step which consists in passing an electric current through electrodes formed of a fusible substance, said electrodes being intermittently in contact thereby producing a fusing arc, and subjecting the molten material to an atomizing blast of gas under pressure.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MAX ULRICH SCHOOP.

Witnesses:

CARLO GUBLER, FRANK Bonn. 

